Shampoo machine

ABSTRACT

A pair of head engaging members having a contour generally conforming with the shape of the scalp and provided with inwardly extending fingers for engaging the scalp, a vibrator for vibration thereof and a hollow interior communicated with a source of shampoo and water together with apertures directing the cleaning solution and rinse water toward the scalp. The head engaging members are supported on adjustable arms which are vibrated or oscillated in a manner to scrub and massage the scalp and a shampoo dispenser is provided for introducing shampoo into a supply conduit at the appropriate time during a shampoo cycle thereby enabling a hairdresser to be occupied with other duties while a person is receiving a shampoo.

United States Patent [72l inventor Gracie H. Colomb 1009 East St. Mary Blvd., Lafayette, La.

70501 121] App]. No. 866.959 (22] Filed Oct. 16. 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 17,197]

154] SHAMPOO MACHINE 4 Claims. 4 Drawing Figs.

152! U.S.CL 4/159 [51] Int. Cl A47d 19/00 1501 FleldoiSearch 4/159 156] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.470.311 10/1923 Wirth 4/159 2.232.493 2/1841 Stuckey et a1. 15/22 2.813.275 11/1957 Davenport..... 4/159 2.854.969 10/1958 Nolan 128/65 2.854.970 10/1958 Nolan 128/65 Primary ExaminerLaverne D. Geiger Assistanl Examiner-Donald B. Massenberg At!orneys-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A pair of head engaging members having a contour generally conforming with the shape of the scalp and provided with inwardly extending fingers for engaging the scalp, a vibrator for vibration thereof and a hollow interior communicated with a source of shampoo and water together with apertures directing the cleaning solution and rinse water toward the scalp. The head engaging members are supported on adjustable arms which are vibrated or oscillated in a manner to scrub and massage the scalp and a shampoo dispenser is provided for introducing shampoo into a supply conduit at the appropriate time during a shampoo cycle thereby enabling a hairdresser to be occupied with other duties while a person is receiving a shampoo.

, Gracie H. Co/omb WWW mm PATENTEDAUBITIBH 3,599,250

' SHEET 2 OF 2 SHAMPOO MACHINE The present invention generally relates to a shampoo machine for use in beauty salons, barber shops. homes and the like and includes a mechanism for automatically dispensing a quantity of shampoo into a water supply line to provide a cleaning solution that is applied to the scalp together with a power operated head engaging member which is moved in relation to the head sufficiently to scrub and effectively massage the scalp.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shampoo machine having head engaging members generally conforming to the shape of the scalp for engagement with substantially the entire surface area of the scalp with the inner surface of the head engaging members having projections in the form of resilient but stiff projections, knobs, fingers or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shampoo machine in accordance with the preceding objects having a vibrator mounted on each head engaging member to vibrate the head engaging member to effectively massage the scalp and scrub the scalp clean.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide head engaging members having a hollow interior communicated with a source of water and shampoo solution to enable a shampoo solution to be discharged onto the head and scalp and also rinse water to be discharged onto the head and scalp for rinsing the shampoo therefrom.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a shampoo machine including ahead engaging member adjustably mounted on supporting arms which are movable in a manner to scrub the scalp with the movement of the arms being controlled by an electric motor having a rheostat associated therewith for varying the speed or movement of the head engaging members.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a shampoo machine having a shampoo dispenser and a cycle timer so that the shampoo will automatically be dispensed and the cycle of operation will be automatically controlled.

These together with other objectsand advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shampoo machine of the present invention with portions of the enclosing cabinet structure being illustrated in broken lines for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the head engaging members.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the head engaging members.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of one of the head engaging members taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the shampoo machine of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral and has been illustrated as being supported on a base or platform 12 of generally rectangular construction. The base or platform may be in the form of a table top or the like provided with supporting legs 14 and an enclosing cabinet 16 of any suitable shape, size and configuration may be provided so that the device is relatively compact and neat in appearance.

Extending outwardly from the cabinet 16 is a pair of support arms 18 which has a universal pivot joint 20 incorporated therein together with a lock screw 22 associated therewith to lock the universal ball joint so that the arm 18 may be adjusted by universally adjusting the outer portion of each arm in relation to the inner portion thereof. Rigidly fixed to the outer end of each arm 18 is a head engaging member generally designated by the numeral 24 and which includes an arcuately curved hollow member 26 which conforms with and engages the outer surface of the head or scalp 28 of the person receiving a shampoo.

The arcuately curved member 26 includes a hollow interior 30 having a plurality of relatively small apertures or orifices 32 communicating therewith and extending through the inner wall of the hollow arcuate member 26 with the inner wall being designated by the numeral 34 and having a concave inner surface conforming with the exterior surface of the scalp or head 28. Also, the inner wall 34 is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting knobs or fingers 36 which are substantially conical in configuration with the inner ends thereof terminating in rounded tips 38 to actually engage the scalp for massaging and scrubbing the scalp during relative movement of the head engaging members 24 in relation to the scalp. The exterior wall of the arcuate member designated by the numetal 40 includes an outwardly extending hollow adapter or nipple 42 communicating with the hollow interior 30 and providing an attachment device for connecting a flexible hose 44 so that water can be discharged into the hollow interior 30 and subsequently through the apertures 32 into engagement with the head, hair and scalp.

Also, each head engaging member 24 is provided with an electrically powered vibrator 46 of conventional construction with the vibrator being secured to the arcuate member 26 in any suitable manner such as being unitarily constructed therewith or mounted thereon. The vibrator 46 is supplied with electrical energy to power the electric motor thereof through a suitable electrical conductor 48. The arcuate member 26 is constructed of a resilient but substantially rigid material such as a molded plastic or the like which enables massage and scrubbing of the scalp without injury thereto and the universal adjustment 20 enables the head engaging members 24 to be moved apart while assembling the same with the head and the moved into position so that the adjacent edges thereof will substantially meet so that substantially the complete scalp and head will be shampooed by virtue of it being encompassed by the head engaging members 24.

The outer wall 40 of each of the arcuate hollow members 26 is also provided with an adapter connector 50 having a small hose 52 connected thereto for dispensing shampoo into the hollow interior setting for mixing with water and discharged onto the scalp and head for shampooing the hair and scalp. The shampoo hoses 52 extend alongside of the hoses 44 and the electrical conductor 48 also extends along the hoses and all of the hoses and electrical conductors extend along the arms 18in a relatively loose manner with the hoses and electrical conductors being attached thereto loosely by encircling retaining members 54 in the form of an annular ring or the like so that the hoses and electrical conductors will be retained substantially alongside of the arms. Where the hoses and electrical conductors extend across the angular adjustment 20, the components are relatively slack to enable adjustment of the arms 18 about the universal ball joint 20. The inner end of the hoses are connected to a T-fitting 56 and a hose or pipe 58 connected with a source of water of appropriate and adjustable temperature for use in shampooing and rinsing the head. The shampoo hoses 52 are connected to a T-fitting 60 associated with a liquid shampoo dispensing apparatus having a container 64 containing liquid soap or shampoo therein with the shampoo dispensing apparatus 62 serving to dispense a predetermined quantity of liquid shampoo solution into the interior of the arcuate hollow member 26 for discharge through the apertures 32 onto the scalp and hair.

The inner ends of the arms 18 are connected to a drive unit 66 which causes the arms 18 to reciprocate, oscillate at a variable speed depending upon the drive speed of an electric motor 68 drivingly connected to the drive mechanism 66 by a belt drive 70. A rheostat 72 is provided for controlling the outlet speed of the motor 68 for varying the speed of movement of the arms 18. The operation of the motor 68, shampoo dispenser and vibrator 46 are electrically controlled by a cycle timer 74 having a suitable control knob '76 accessible to the operator of the machine.

The specific construction of the electric motor, the rheostat, the cycle timer as well as the drive mechanism 66 and the shampoo dispensing mechanism 62 and the vibrator 46 form no particular part of the present invention inasmuch as conventional vibrators 46 are employed as are conventional cycle timers, rheostats, electric motors, drive units and electrically operated dispensing mechanisms for the liquid shampoo are employed and associated in the manner illustrated for producing the desired result.

When a person desires to have a shampoo, he will normally be positioned in relation to a drain pan or the like and the head engaging members 24 adjusted into position in engagement with the head and scalp 28. The rheostat is usually set for a predetermined speed depending upon the hair characteristics of the hair and desires of the operator and the cycle knob will be actuated so that the scalp may be massaged, the hair and scalp may be massaged, the hair and scalp wetted, shampoo dispensed thereon and the hair and scalp scrubbed after which the shampoo will be rinsed therefrom and a sub sequent or second shampooing and rinsing operation will be performed and a final massaging operation will occur. The time of each cycle may be varied depending upon the characteristics of the hair and scalp being shampooed and the quantity of shampoo discharged and each shampooing cycle may be varied as desired with the specific details of the dispensing and driving mechanism not forming any particular part of the invention but rather the specific construction of the head engaging members and the relationship of the other components thereto forming the essential components of this invention.

The electrical components of the present invention are driven from a suitable source of electrical power and the particular connection to a source of electrical power also does not form any essential component of the invention nor does the particular control circuitry involved. The shampoo device may be used with various types of drain pans, bowls or the like in the form of a builtin apparatus or a portable-type apparatus depending upon the use of the machine.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What I claim as new is as follows:

i. In a shampooing machine, a head engaging member in cluding a hollow arcuate member having inner and outer walls spaced substantially equally from each other throughout their extent to define an interior space communicated with a source of cleaning solution, the interior wall of the arcuate member having a plurality of apertures therein for discharge of cleaning solutions, the inner wall of the arcuate member having a plurality of projections thereon for scrubbing engagement with the head, and a vibrator mounted on the arcuate member for vibrating the head engaging member, a support arm connected with said head engaging member, and power means connected with the support arm for moving the support arm and oscillating the head engaging member to scrub and massage the head of a person receiving a shampoo.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said power means includes means for selectively varying the speed of oscillation.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 together with means for adjusting the position of said support arm and said head engaging member relative to the head of a person receiving a shampoo.

4. In a shampooing machine, a pair of head engaging members oppositely disposed one from the other and each including a hollow arcuate member having inner and outer walls spaced substantially equally from each other throughout their extent to define an interior space communicated with a source of cleaning solution, the interior walls of said arcuate members having a plurality of apertures therein for discharge of cleaning solutions, the inner walls of said arcuate members 

1. In a shampooing machine, a head engaging member including a hollow arcuate member having inner and outer walls spaced substantially equally from each other throughout their extent to define an interior space communicated with a source of cleaning solution, the interior wall of the arcuate member having a plurality of apertures therein for discharge of cleaning solutions, the inner wall of the arcuate member having a plurality of projections thereon for scrubbing engagement with the head, and a vibrator mounted on the arcuate member for vibrating the head engaging member, a support arm connected with said head engaging member, and power means connected with the support arm for moving the support arm and oscillating the head engaging member to scrub and massage the head of a person receiving a shampoo.
 2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said power means includes means for selectively varying the speed of oscillation.
 3. The structure defined in claim 2 together with means for adjusting the position of said support arm and said head engaging member relative to the head of a person receiving a shampoo.
 4. In a shampooing machine, a pair of head engaging members oppositely disposed one from the other and each including a hollow arcuate member having inner and outer walls spaced substantially equally from each other throughout their extent to define an interior space communicated with a source of cleaning solution, the interior walls of said arcuate members having a plurality of apertures therein for discharge of cleaning solutions, the inner walls of said arcuate members having a plurality of projections thereon for scrubbing engagement with the head, a vibrator mounted on each of said arcuate members for vibrating the respective head engaging members, a pair of support arms each connected with a head engaging member, and means connected with each of said support arms for adjusting the positions of said oppositely disposed head engaging members relative to each other for permitting the proper insertion of a person''s head between said oppositely disposed head engaging members. 